Roof scaffold bracket

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a roof scaffold bracket ( 12 ) having a roof fixing arm ( 14 ), a platform support arm ( 16 ) pivotally attached ( 28 ) at one end of roof fixing arm ( 14 ) and an adjustment arm ( 18 ) pivotally attached ( 20 ) at the other end of roof fixing arm ( 14 ). Platform support arm ( 16 ) is adapted to be connected to adjustment arm ( 18 ). At least one foot means ( 72 ) is provided on roof fixing arm ( 14 ) whereby the at least one foot means ( 72 ) is adapted to secure the roof scaffold bracket ( 12 ) to a frame element ( 81 ) of a roof ( 42 ).

[0001] This invention relates to a roof scaffold bracket and relatesparticularly, though not exclusively, to a roof scaffold bracket forproviding a roof scaffold support which allows safe work practices onany pitch of roof.

[0002] Roof scaffolding systems for allowing work to be undertaken onrooves have in the past been expensive and time consuming to erect. Thescaffolding must be mounted on the ground and a cantilever arrangementconnected to that scaffolding hangs over the roof. Devices requiring noscaffolding support on the ground are illustrated in U.S. Pat. Nos.5,113,971; 5,318,148; 5,988,578; and 4,856,745. All of these devices arefairly complicated constructions which are heavy and difficult to erect.They have limited flexibility as they can only be used on a particulartype of roof construction. They are not flexible to used on a tiledroof, corrugated iron roof or no roof.

[0003] It is an object of the present invention to provide a roofscaffold bracket that is compact and quick and easy to erect anddismantle.

[0004] A further object of the invention is to provide a roof scaffoldbracket that can be used on any type of roof.

[0005] With these objects in view the present invention provides a roofscaffold bracket including a roof fixing arm, a platform support armpivotally attached at one end of said roof fixing arm and an adjustmentarm pivotally attached at the other end of said roof fixing arm, saidplatform support arm adapted to be connected to said adjustment arm, atleast one foot means provided on said roof fixing arm and at least saidone foot means adapted to secure said roof scaffold bracket to a frameelement of a roof.

[0006] Preferably said roof scaffold bracket includes a handrail supportarm attachable to said adjustment arm. In a preferred aspect of theinvention at least two feet means are provided at each end of said rooffixing arm.

[0007] Preferably each foot means includes a pair of spaced apartparallel members which are adapted to lie in respective valleys of acorrugated roofing material.

[0008] In one embodiment a foot support plate is adapted to engage withrespective feet means and is adapted to be secured to a roof batten inthe form of a roof tile. Preferably said foot support plate includes alip at one end for abutment with said roof batten and a pair of tabs ator adjacent the other end for abutment with said foot means. Preferablysaid tabs include apertures for passage therethrough of said spacedapart parallel members.

[0009] In a further embodiment a foot support is adapted to engage withrespective feet means and is adapted to be secured to a roof rafter.Said foot support having an L-shaped bracket which include apertures forpassage therethrough of said spaced apart parallel members. A furtherL-shaped bracket is attached to said L-shaped bracket by a joiningmember and said further L-shaped bracket is adapted to be attached tosaid roof rafter.

[0010] In order that the invention may be more readily understood andput into practical effect, reference will now be made to theaccompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to likeelements and in which:

[0011]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a roofscaffold support using the roof scaffold bracket of the inventioninstalled on a roof,

[0012]FIG. 2 is a side cross-section view of the roof scaffold supportshown in FIG. 1;

[0013]FIG. 3 is a side view of the roof scaffold bracket shown in FIG. 1in the assembled position;

[0014]FIG. 4 is a similar view to that of FIG. 3 showing the roofscaffold bracket in the collapsed position;

[0015]FIG. 5 is a similar view to that of FIG. 3 showing a variation toallow variation of the positioning of the foot for the roof scaffoldbracket,

[0016]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the foot of the roof scaffoldbracket shown in FIG. 1;

[0017]FIG. 7 is a first foot support plate for allowing the roofscaffold bracket of FIG. 1 to be used on a tiled roof;

[0018]FIG. 8 is a second foot support plate for allowing the roofscaffold bracket of FIG. 1 to be used on a tiled roof;

[0019]FIG. 9 is a side view of the roof scaffold bracket of FIG. 1 incombination with the first foot support plate shown in FIG. 7;

[0020]FIG. 10 is a side view of the roof scaffold bracket of FIG. 1 incombination with the second foot support plate shown in FIG. 8; and

[0021]FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a roofscaffold bracket

[0022] In the drawings there is shown a roof scaffold support 10 whichincludes two or more roof scaffold brackets 12. The scaffold bracketsare typically formed from metallic sections with steel and aluminiumbeing preferred materials. Each roof scaffold bracket 12 has a rooffixing arm 14, a platform support arm 16 and an adjustment arm 18. Rooffixing arm 14 is typically formed from square hollow tubular steel orU-shaped channel section and has a pivot hole 20 at one end to cooperatewith corresponding pivot holes in right angular tabs 22 on either sideof the end of adjustment arm 18. A bolt (not shown) can be placedthrough the aligned pivot holes to provide a pivoting movement betweenroof fixing arm 14 and adjustment arm 18. At the other end of rooffixing arm 14 is a pair of tabs 24 having aligned pivot holes 26 whichcooperate with pivot holes (not shown) of platform support arm 16. Abolt 28 (FIG. 2) will allow a pivoting movement between roof fixing arm14 and platform support arm 16.

[0023] Platform support arm 16 is typically formed from square hollowtubular steel or U-shaped channel section and includes a pair ofextensions 30 welded to either side of platform support arm 14 adjacentthe free end thereof. The extensions 30 have aligned holes 32 forreception of a bolt 34 (FIG. 2). In use, platform support arm 14 willsupport a plurality of planks 36 which provide a walkway for workmen anda kickboard 38.

[0024] Adjustment arm 18 is typically formed from square hollow tubularsteel or U-shaped channel section and includes a plurality of adjustmentholes 40. Holes 40 can be aligned with holes 32 of platform support armto allow bolt 34 to lock platform support arm 32 in a substantiallyhorizontal position no matter what pitch of roof 42 is encountered. Atab or tabs 44 may also be provided which includes hole(s) 46 which whenroof scaffold bracket 12 is in the collapsed position shown in FIG. 4can be locked in that position by a bolt (not shown).

[0025] A handrail support arm 48 can also be provided to reduce the riskof a workmen falling from roof 42. Again the handrail support arm 48 istypically formed from square hollow tubular steel and preferablyincludes a vertical section 50 and an angled section 52. Angled section52 will allow more working space for the workmen to undertake theirtasks. Vertical section 52 has a sleeve 54 welded at its free end which,in use, will slide over the end of adjustment arm 18. Holes 56 cooperatewith holes 40 of adjustment arm 18 to allow sleeve 54 to be fastened toadjustment arm 18 by bolts 58. U-clamps 60 hold rails 62 to angledsection 52 to form safety rails to assist in preventing workmen fallingoff roof 42. The nature of the clamping action, the number of orpositioning of rails 62 can vary to suit the working environment e.g. arail could also be placed across adjustment arm 18. If required, afurther support bracket 64 can be slid over angled section 52 usingsleeve 66 attached to one end of further support bracket 64. A bolt 68can lock sleeve to angled section 52. A further plank 70 rests onfurther support brackets 64 to provide a table for tools, paint andother equipment that the workmen may require.

[0026] To complete roof scaffold bracket 12, feet 72 are provided ateach end of roof fixing arm 14. Each foot 72 comprises a laterallyoriented tab 74 welded to the underneath of roof fixing arm 14. A pairof tubes 76 are welded to the underneath of tab 74 and are arrangedparallel to roof fixing arm 14. The spacing between the tubes 76 isselected to correspond to the spacing between a predetermined number ofvalleys in a sheet of corrugated roofing iron. In use, the tubes 76 willlie in valleys of corrugated iron to prevent transverse movement of roofscaffold bracket 12. A pair of holes 78 are provided in tab 74 forsecuring each foot 72 to a batten or rafter.

[0027] In use, roof scaffold brackets 12 will be delivered on site inthe collapsed condition shown in FIG. 4. The workmen will remove a roofscrew (not shown) from the corrugated iron roof 42 at a desiredlocation. A substitute screw 79 will be re-inserted into at least onehole 78 of at least one tab 74 and the screw fastened to secure a roofscaffold bracket 12 to roof 42 through engagement with a batten 81 orrafter. Tubes 76 will lie in the valleys of the corrugated iron roof 42to prevent any lateral movement of bracket 12. Once bracket 12 issecured to the roof then platform support arm 16 and adjustment arm 18can be unfolded through their pivotal attachment to roof fixing arm 14.Adjustment arm 18 is located between extensions 30 of platform supportarm 16 and both arms are adjusted until platform support arm 16 issubstantially horizontally disposed. Bolt 34 is then inserted in thealigned holes 32,40 to lock platform support arm 16 into the horizontalposition. Similarly, a further roof scaffold bracket is secured parallelto and aligned with the just secured roof scaffold bracket. Handrailsupport arms 48 can then be attached to adjustment arms 18 by slidingsleeves 54 over the ends of adjustment arms 18 and securing them bybolts 58. Safety rails 62 are then clamped to handrail support arms 48using U-clamps 60. If required, further support bracket 64 can also besecured to handrail support arms 48. Planks 36 and kickboard 38 can thenbe installed together with planks 70 to complete the assembly.

[0028] The invention according to this preferred embodiment will providea very stable and safe operating environment for workmen on the roof.The roof scaffold support 10 does not damage the roof and allows workmento walk on horizontal planks 36 rather than to try to balance at variousangular dispositions on the roof itself. Coatings on the roof themselvesare not damaged by the footwear of the workmen and there should be lessdamage from tools. The disassembly of the roof scaffold support 10 isthe reverse procedure for its assembly. The original roofing screws canbe replaced to complete the job. The safety rails 62 provide additionalsecurity for workmen as many industrial accidents occur from falling offrooves.

[0029]FIG. 5 shows a variation of the roof scaffold bracket 12 shown inFIGS. 1 to 4 by having one of feet 72A being adjustably positioned. Tab74A is welded to a sleeve 80 which is slidably located on roof fixingarm 14. Adjustment holes 82 can be aligned with holes 84 on sleeve 80 toallow the position of foot 72A to varied along the length of roof fixingarm 14 and locked by bolts 86. Another practical embodiment (not shown)has roof fixing arm 14 telescopic to vary its length. Such adjustmentsallow attachment of both feet of the roof scaffold bracket to be securedto the battens or rafters of the roof. These variations can be appliedto any of the illustrated embodiments.

[0030] The embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 and 9 allows the roof scaffoldbracket 12 of FIGS. 1 to 6 to be used on tile rooves. A foot supportplate 88 is substituted for a tile on the roof. Plate 88 is basicallyrectangular in shape and is slightly larger than a roof tile. An endflange 90 is folded over at one end for abutment with a batten 92. Apair of tabs 94 are expressed from plate 88 and have holes 96 whosedistance apart corresponds to the distance between tubes 76. Tubes 76will, in use, be located in holes 96. Slots or holes 98 are forreception of screws (not shown) to allow foot support plate 88 to besecured to batten 92. An L-shaped bracket 100 is welded to the bottom ofplate 88 and forms a foot 102 which, in use, rests on batten 104. A pairof lips 106 will ensure that rainwater does not seep into the roofspace.

[0031] In use, tiles can be readily lifted and plate 88 substitutedtherefor to allow roof scaffold bracket 12 to be fitted. Plate 88 can befastened to batten 92 through slots or holes 98. The top edge of tile107 can be fitted into L-shaped bracket 100 to rest on foot 102. Tubes76 of roof scaffold bracket 12 can slide into holes 96 of tabs 94 toallow tabs 24 to abut thereagainst. When work has been completed, plate88 can be removed and replaced by a tile.

[0032] In FIGS. 8 and 10 a further type of support foot 108 is shownwhich cooperates with the roof scaffold bracket 12 shown in FIGS. 1 to6. An L-shaped bracket 109 has a base part 110 and a vertical part 112.Vertical part 112 has holes 114 which receive tubes 76 of roof scaffoldbracket 12. A support rod 116 is welded to the underneath of base part110 and at the other end to a further L-shaped bracket 118. Bracket 118has a vertical part 120 which is oriented at right angles to verticalpart 112 of bracket 109 and a horizontal part 122. A protection strip124 is slidably located on support rod 116 and provides a waterproofingfor tiles.

[0033] In use, horizontal part 122 rests on a rafter 126 at the edge ofthe building and vertical part 120 abuts the side of rafter 126 and issecured thereto by a threaded fastener (not shown). Protection strip 124will rest on a lower tile 128 and an upper tile 130 will rest onprotection strip 124. Tubes 76 of roof scaffold bracket 12 will beinserted into holes 114. Tabs 24 of roof scaffold bracket 12 will abutvertical part 112 of bracket 109. This arrangement will allow roofscaffold bracket 12 to be used on the edge of a tiled roof, or on theframework of roof where tiles have not been installed.

[0034] In the embodiment of FIG. 11 a second variation of a roofscaffold bracket 132 is shown. This embodiment allows a more compactassembly as tabs 22 and 24 have been removed. Each of arms 14,16 areformed of U-shaped channel sections whilst arm is of hollow squaresection. The width of adjustment arm 18 is such that it will fit withinthe channel of roof fixing arm 14 and is pivotally coupled thereto bybolt 134. Platform support arm 16 is pivotally attached to roof fixingarm 14 by bolt 136. Platform support arm 16 is wider in cross-sectionthan roof fixing arm 14 and can overlay both roof fixing arm 14 andadjustment arm 18 in the collapsed position.

[0035] Platform support arm 16 does not require extensions 30 as thesehave been replaced by slot 138 through which adjustment arm 18 canprotrude. Handrail support arm 48 can be fitted in the same manner asroof scaffold bracket 12. Roof scaffold bracket 132 operates in asimilar manner to roof scaffold bracket 12 and can use the foot supportplates 88 and 108 of FIGS. 7 and 8 respectively. The major advantage ofroof scaffold bracket 132 is the compact nature when not in use. Asadjustment arm 18 folds into roof fixing arm 14 and thereafter platformsupport arm 16 folds over roof fixing arm 14 the roof scaffold bracket132 will occupy a minimum amount of space for storage.

[0036] The invention provides a simple solution to providing workersafety on a pitched roof and will prevent industrial accidents due tofalling. The system is compact and quick and easy to erect anddismantle. The invention can be used on any roof whether it has noroofing material installed or whether it is has corrugated iron or tilesinstalled. There is also no damage done to an existing roof whilst theroof scaffold support is erected.

[0037] The invention is not restricted to the preferred embodimentsillustrated as many variations to the construction of the invention maybe made. The preferred embodiments show practical examples of systemsthat work well.

[0038] The invention will be understood to embrace many furthermodifications as will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the artand which will be deemed to reside within the broad scope and ambit ofthe invention, there having been set forth herein only the broad natureof the invention and a certain specific embodiment by way of example.

The claims defining the invention are as follows:
 1. A roof scaffoldbracket including a roof fixing arm, a platform support arm pivotallyattached at one end of said roof fixing arm and an adjustment armpivotally attached at the other end of said roof fixing arm, saidplatform support arm adapted to be connected to said adjustment arm, atleast one foot means provided on said roof fixing arm and at least saidone foot means adapted to secure said roof scaffold bracket to a frameelement of a roof.
 2. The roof scaffold bracket of claim 1, wherein saidroof scaffold bracket includes a handrail support arm attachable to saidadjustment arm.
 3. The roof scaffold bracket of claim 1 or 2, wherein atleast two feet means are provided at each end of said roof fixing arm.4. The roof scaffold bracket of any one of the preceding claims, whereineach foot means includes a pair of spaced apart parallel members whichare adapted to lie in respective valleys of a corrugated roofingmaterial.
 5. The roof scaffold bracket of claim 4, wherein a footsupport plate is adapted to engage with respective feet means and isadapted to be secured to a roof batten in the form of a roof tile. 6.The roof scaffold bracket of claim 5, wherein said foot support plateincludes a lip at one end for abutment with said roof batten and a pairof tabs at or adjacent the other end for abutment with said foot means.7. The roof scaffold bracket of claim 6, wherein said tabs includeapertures for passage therethrough of said spaced apart parallelmembers.
 8. The roof scaffold bracket of claim 4, wherein a foot supportis adapted to engage with respective feet means and is adapted to besecured to a roof rafter.
 9. The roof scaffold bracket of claim 8,wherein said foot support has an L-shaped bracket which includeapertures for passage therethrough of said spaced apart parallelmembers.
 10. The roof scaffold bracket of claim 9, wherein a furtherL-shaped bracket is attached to said L-shaped bracket by a joiningmember and said further L-shaped bracket is adapted to be attached tosaid roof rafter.
 11. The roof scaffold bracket of claim 10, wherein aprotection strip slides along said joining member between said L-shapedbrackets and co-operates with adjacent roof tiles.
 12. The roof scaffoldbracket of claim 2, wherein said handrail support arm includes a supportbracket for supporting a further platform.
 13. The roof scaffold bracketof any one of the preceding claims, wherein said roof fixing arm, saidplatform support arm and said adjustment arm are formed from U-shapedchannel sections whereby in the collapsed state of said roof scaffoldbracket said adjustment arm lies substantially within said roof fixingarm and said roof fixing arm lies substantially within said platformsupport arm.
 14. The roof scaffold bracket of claim 13, wherein, in theassembled state of said roof scaffold bracket, said adjustment armpasses through a slot in the base of said platform support arm.
 15. Aroof scaffold bracket substantially as hereinbefore described withreference to the accompanying drawings.